AD Agencies
PVR-INOX partners with Khushi Advertising to boost cinema advertising
Mumbai: PVR-INOX, India’s largest film exhibitor, secures a strategic partnership with Khushi Advertising Ideas Pvt. Ltd (KAIPL) to revolutionise cinema advertising in South India. This collaboration capitalises on the growing demand for cinema advertising, with the market Ad-Ex projected to grow by 12 per cent this year.
With over 20 years of experience, Khushi Advertising is known for its innovative campaigns that reach consumers across 35 cities through a dedicated team of over 250 professionals. The five-year contract appoints Khushi Advertising as the exclusive ad-sales affiliate for the South India market, aiming to manage cinema advertising sales effectively and enhance PVR-INOX’s market share.
The partnership reflects confidence in cinema advertising’s future, which saw a remarkable growth rate of 36 per cent last year. According to PVR INOX, CEO – revenue and operations, Gautam Dutta, “This new strategic partnership between two leaders in the industry goes beyond the transactional value. It aims to reform the market, provide better control over market narratives and commercials, and most importantly, uphold the value of cinema advertising among our esteemed advertisers and trade partners, who have been an integral part of our success. Traditionally, advertising sales contributed 10-11 per cent of our total revenue, but post-COVID, that contribution dipped to around 7-8 per cent as we were on a recovery path. We strongly anticipate that this partnership, along with our ongoing leadership initiatives, will strengthen our ad-sales contribution and help us return to pre-COVID levels. We look forward to the success of this partnership.”
Khushi Advertising Ideas Pvt. Ltd., CEO, Vishnu Telang highlights the remarkable growth and universal appeal of South Indian cinema, stating, “The South Indian film industry has experienced phenomenal growth, with blockbuster hits like KGF 2, RRR, Salaar Part 1: Ceasefire, and Pushpa driving robust advertising activity and fostering a passionate fanbase. With highly anticipated releases such as Vettaiyan, Kanguva and Pushpa 2 scheduled for this year, 2024 is set to be the ‘Year of South Movie Dominance.’ To leverage this momentum, we are excited to announce our strategic partnership with PVR Inox, which will significantly expand our advertising footprint in South India. This collaboration allows us to tap into a dynamic audience through highly impactful advertising campaigns linked to our diverse lineup of films, creating lucrative opportunities for brands to engage effectively. At Khushi Advertising, we excel in providing integrated OOH solutions across India, utilising specialised venues such as malls, airports, and corporate parks. Our strategic focus on maximising brand visibility ensures that we craft compelling campaigns that resonate with audiences in vibrant environments. Together with PVR Inox, we are poised to enhance advertising revenues and deliver your message directly to your target audience, no matter where they choose to engage.”
Khushi Advertising Ideas Pvt. Ltd., director, Pranay Shah stated, “We are thrilled to announce our strategic partnership with PVR INOX, a leader in the cinema exhibition industry. This collaboration aims to revolutionise cinema advertising by providing brands with unparalleled access to a diverse audience in a captivating environment. As cinema attendance continues to rise, we anticipate that this collaboration will not only enhance brand engagement but also drive significant growth in advertising revenue for both Khushi Advertising and PVR INOX. Together, we are committed to setting new standards in cinema advertising and creating memorable experiences that leave a lasting impression on audiences.”
AD Agencies
AdTrust Summit 2026 to examine trust, AI and Gen Alpha in advertising
Two-day summit in Mumbai to explore ethics, regulation and the future of advertising trust
MUMBAI: At a time when advertising is navigating a delicate trust deficit, the Advertising Standards Council of India is preparing to bring the industry to the table. On 17 and 18 March, the body will host the inaugural AdTrust Summit 2026 in Mumbai, a two-day gathering designed to spark conversation around responsibility, regulation and credibility in modern advertising.
The summit, to be held at the Jio World Convention Centre in Bandra Kurla Complex, will bring together leaders from advertising, media, technology and policy to examine how brands can build trust in a marketplace increasingly shaped by algorithms, influencers and artificial intelligence.
In an age of deepfakes, dark patterns and blurred lines between content and commerce, the question is no longer just how brands capture attention, but whether audiences believe what they see. The AdTrust Summit aims to unpack that challenge.
Day one will turn its attention to the youngest digital natives. Titled Decoding Gen Alpha, the session will unveil ‘What the Sigma?’, a study by ASCI and Futurebrands Consulting that explores how children growing up in a hyper-digital environment encounter advertising and commercial messaging.
The report presentation will be delivered by Santosh Desai, founder and director at Think9 Consumer Technologies and a social commentator known for his insights into consumer behaviour. The discussion that follows will attempt to decode how Gen Alpha consumes media, interacts with brands and navigates the growing overlap between entertainment and marketing.
In a move that mirrors the subject itself, two Gen Alpha students will also join the conversation, offering a rare perspective from the generation advertisers are trying to understand.
The second panel of the day will shift the focus from observation to implication, asking what the report’s findings mean for brands, agencies and society. Speakers include Karthik Srinivasan, communications strategy consultant; Preeti Vyas, president at Mythik; and Abigail Dias, associate president planning at Ogilvy. The session will be moderated by Sonali Krishna, editor at ET Brand Equity.
Day two moves from insight to regulation. Under the theme From Compliance to Trust, ASCI will release its Ad Law Compendium, a comprehensive guide to India’s advertising regulations.
The day will open with a keynote by Sudhanshu Vats, chairman at ASCI and managing director at Pidilite Industries, followed by a chief guest address by Sanjay Jaju, secretary at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Legal experts from Khaitan & Co., including Haigreve Khaitan, senior partner, and Tanu Banerjee, partner, will present an overview of the current advertising law landscape in India and examine whether existing frameworks are equipped to deal with emerging technologies and formats.
Subsequent panels will explore issues increasingly shaping the industry’s ethical compass. Conversations will range from the limits of persuasive design and the rise of dark patterns, to the growing scrutiny brands face from digital creators and consumer watchdogs.
One session will also feature Revant Himatsingka, widely known online as the Food Pharmer, whose critiques of packaged food brands have sparked debate around transparency and corporate accountability.
Later discussions will turn toward media literacy among Gen Alpha, asking how children can be equipped to navigate a digital world where gaming, content and commerce are becoming indistinguishable.
The summit will conclude with a final panel on the future of advertising, bringing together voices from agencies, legal circles and technology platforms to discuss how innovation, intelligence and integrity can coexist.
For an industry built on persuasion, trust has always been its quiet currency. But as audiences grow more sceptical and digital ecosystems more complex, that currency is under pressure.
Events like the AdTrust Summit suggest the advertising world knows it cannot afford to take credibility for granted. The real challenge now is turning conversation into commitment.
